I thought first half today v Sunderland was the poorest first half I’ve seen at the valley this season, we stood off of them and gave them far too much respect.
Do you think it was down to nerves of what was at stake , or a lack of big game mentality?
By the way at half time I was relieved we were only 1 down, and thought surely we can’t play as bad as this in the 2nd half.
Thought we were outstanding in the 2nd half.
Hope we start well away to Shrewsbury next Saturday.
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It is noticeable that we either concede early or score early of late.
Still that doesn't explain much. Yes we seem to be slow starters first half!
Should have been game over buy then but fortunately we had the better number 9
Thankful that we somehow held on to 1-0 into half time, imagine Sunderland now feeling frustrated they didn’t go in 2 or 3 up especially considering our superb performance in 2nd half.
Today we were pressed high by their front 2/3 the second we had the ball at the back meaning two midfielders come back for the ball then there's almost no where to go, equally our diamond especially down our right was heavily exposed, mainly due to Pratley being out of position and no cover from the front 3.
A lot of our side lacks intelligence so is unable to see whats happening and adapt, they can only follow instruction which isn't easy during a fast flowing and changing game.
It's why we are where we are and common in a lot of league 1 and below sides. Players like Fosu are a prime example, clearly a lot of natural ability but no football brain, his decision making is what makes him a league one player.
Of the starting 10 outfield players only really Sarr, Solly, Bielik & Morgan who are both still learning their trade and Taylor I would say have real football intelligence. It's one thing being able to pick a pass, a 50 yard cross field ball or lay a delicate defence splitting pass, it's a whole other matter seeing it's on in the first place.
If you look at our league 1 promotion side, as well as natural ability they almost all had a decent football intelligence, Jackson being the obvious example. I've no doubt Fosu has more natural skill/ability but he'll never be as good a player as Jackson.
I'll credit him with not hiding though and he improved in the second although that missed header was probably the chance of the match for us.
Most of our possession in the first half seemed to be in our own half but for the last ten minutes or so we started to look threatening. Nobody hid and given the makeshift nature of the team we have to accept that with so many players out of position we will struggle.
Some of the criticism of Pratley and Djiksteel is completely OTT.
Started terribly at Barnsley, going 2-0 down before clawing our way back into the game
Started brilliantly vs Walsall, going 2-0 UP before they got back into the game
Started terribly vs Sunderland, before clawing our way back etc
There's a curious lack of consistency in the way we come out of the blocks
to be fair the same could be said of Pratley, no excuse for not hitting the target with a free header from 5 yards out
At the time I thought the deflection made it slightly more difficult and it came at him quick, but after watching the highlights I was really disappointed.